United Nations Association of Australia

2011 UNAA ANNUAL REPORT

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

President’s Report (Robert Hill).

The global issues of today are just as demanding as those of previous times. We need only to think of the unfolding political events of the Arab Spring, or the famine of East Africa or the major challenges facing the world economy. Many millions of the global community still live in poverty, large numbers are on the move to escape persecution and abuse, and women and girls remain generally worse off than men. The world’s natural resources continue to be plundered with irreplaceable losses.

Addressing these issues does require unilateral action of States, and sometimes the circumstances lend to regional solutions, but in an ever more integrated world, most of these major issues require a global response.

The primary global organization capable of leading and coordinating effective international responses is the United Nations. Although an organisation of 192 Nation States, the work of the United Nations is underpinned by the broader legitimacy of the global community… “We the peoples” … as the Charter says. It is this responsibility of individuals, civil society, which is core to the functioning of United Nations Associations across the world. Nation States have the primary responsibility to act, but effective responses require support and encouragement from the peoples not just governments.

So whether its efforts to avoid or end conflicts, counter human rights abuses, give substance to humanitarian responses, encourage democratic reform, support economic development , counter climate change or in fact address any of the major global challenges, the role of civil society is vitally important.

In Australia, this is the work of the United Nations Association of Australia. It’s a privilege to be President of a body which has this responsibility. Much of the work is done by the State Divisions and I pay tribute to those who lead this cause across Australia.

Whilst we have a federal structure and appreciate the importance of strong local participation, the National Executive has also been of the view that the national office and presence should be strengthened in order to better meet our mission.

We commissioned a review of our organization and I’m particularly grateful to former Senator Russell Trood who volunteered his services to do this task. His review will be debated at this year’s National Council Meeting. We were also pleased to be able to employ Beth Shaw as our Executive Director. Her sterling efforts have made a big difference to our organisation and I am very appreciative of her contribution.

Our major national program to date has been a project supporting the establishment of UNAs in Pacific States. It has been led by David Purnell and is making good progress. I’d like to specifically acknowledge David’s contribution and thank him. I also want to thank the Australian Government and DFAT for their support of that project. We expect to be able to announce a second national project at this year’s

Council Meeting and are working on others. I am confident that we are in the process of building a stronger national presence, and given the importance of our work, that is a good thing.

In conclusion, I want to thank the Federal Executive for its continuing support. I want to particularly thank our Treasurer, Harold Wilkinson, for his extraordinary efforts. I also want to thank the Editor of UNity, Lucinda Millsom for her important work. Effective public communication is vital to our mission.

Robert Hill
President